Spontaneous formation of vanadium "molecules" in a geometrically frustrated crystal: AlV2O4

We investigated the charge-ordered (CO) state in spinel AlV2O4 by electron diffraction, synchrotron x-ray diffraction, and magnetic measurements. It was found that the CO structure appearing below 700 K is characterized by the formation of V clusters (heptamers), each of which is consisting of 7 vanadium atoms and is in a spin-singlet state as a total. Theoretical consideration indicates that this unique molecularlike V heptamer is stabilized by a strong bonding of vanadium t(2g) orbitals.

Spondyloarthropathies in Japan: nationwide questionnaire survey performed by the Japan Ankylosing Spondylitis Society

OBJECTIVE

The Japan Ankylosing Spondylitis Society conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey of spondyloarthropathies (SpA) in 1990 and 1997, (1) to estimate the prevalence and incidence, and (2) to validate the criteria of Amor and the European Spondylarthropathy Study Group (ESSG) in Japan.

METHODS

Japan was divided into 9 districts, to each of which a survey supervisor was assigned. According to unified criteria, each supervisor selected all the clinics and hospitals with potential for SpA patients in the district. The study population consisted of all patients with SpA seen at these institutes during a 5 year period (1985-89) for the 1st survey and a 7 year period (1990-96) for the 2nd survey.

RESULTS

The 1st survey recruited 426 and the 2nd survey 638 cases, 74 of which were registered in both studies. The total number of patients with SpA identified 1985-96 was 990 (760 men, 227 women). They consisted of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (68.3%), psoriatic arthritis (12.7%), reactive arthritis (4.0%), undifferentiated SpA (5.4%), inflammatory bowel disease (2.2%), pustulosis palmaris et plantaris (4.7%), and others (polyenthesitis, etc.) (0.8%). The maximum onset number per year was 49. With the assumption that at least one-tenth of the Japanese population with SpA was recruited, incidence and prevalence were estimated not to exceed 0.48/100,000 and 9.5/100,000 person-years, respectively. The sensitivity was 84.0% for Amor criteria and 84.6 for ESSG criteria.

CONCLUSION

The incidence and prevalence of SpA in Japanese were estimated to be less than 1/10 and 1/200, respectively, of those among Caucasians. The adaptability of the Amor and ESSG criteria was validated for the Japanese population.

Studies of bovine enterovirus structure by ultraviolet resonance Raman spectroscopy

The structural comparison of bovine enterovirus MZ468 strain before and after the heat treatment was studied by ultraviolet resonance Raman (UVRR) spectra excited at both 235 and 251 nm. The difference between full, heated full and purified empty particles, which were expected as an in vitro model of uncoating, were demonstrated. At 235 nm excitation, the Raman bands of the capsid protein dominated in all the UVRR spectra. The UVRR spectra of the empty particles exhibited non-homogenious broadening for tryptophan W3 band and W7 Fermi doublet bands, which were characteristics of hydrophobic environment, when compared with those of the full particles. The results indicates that some Trp indole rings of the full particles were packaged inside the viral capsids and not strained by virion assembly. On the other hand, the Raman bands assigned to guanine residues of the single stranded-RNA genome were enhanced strongly in the 251-nm excited UVRR spectrum. The spectral differences between the packaged (full particles) and the unpackaged virions (heated full particles) indicates that some guanine residues had strong hydrogen bonds in the full particles.

Nucleotide sequence of the gene encoding the RNA polymerase and the 3' non-coding region of a bovine enterovirus Japanese isolate: rapid synonymous substitutions between European and Japanese strains

The nucleotide sequences of the genome RNA encoding the RNA polymerase and the 3' non-coding region (NCR) of bovine enterovirus (BEV) serotype I Japanese isolate, MZ468, were determined. The genetic distance between the two BEV serotype I strains, MZ468 and VG-5-27, was calculated by pairwise comparison of nucleotide sequences. The synonymous substitution rate was high (1.40 x 10(-2)/site/year), and of the same order as those of influenza virus HA, HIV-1 gag and env, and enterovirus 70 VP1 genes.

Anti-inflammatory activity of superoxide dismutase conjugated with sodium hyaluronate

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) from bovine erythrocytes was conjugated with sodium hyaluronate (HA) with a mean molecular weight of 10(6) to have greater anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. Amino groups of SOD were coupled with carboxyl groups in the hyaluronate molecule using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide. The HA-SOD conjugate was composed of 1.5 mol of SOD molecule per 1 mol of hyaluronate on the average, and retained 70% of the activity of unmodified SOD. The conjugate was essentially non-immunogenic in mice, and exhibited much higher anti-inflammatory activities than HA or SOD in models of inflammatory diseases such as ischemic oedema of the foot-pad in mice, carrageenin-induced pleurisy and adjuvant arthritis in rats.

Human monoclonal rheumatoid factors augment arthritis in mice by the activation of T cells

In order to investigate the in vivo role of rheumatoid factor (RF), the effects of the administration of human monoclonal (m) IgM-RF and IgG-RF on the development of arthritis in mice were examined. The administration of human mRFs into mice immunized with type II collagen (CII) markedly enhanced the clinical score and paw swelling. The severity of arthritic joint disease with a marked infiltration of lymphoid cells, proliferation of synovial membrane, pannus formation and destruction of articular cartilage was significantly enhanced in both groups receiving RF (RF-enhanced arthritis). Skin ulcers were also observed in some of these RF-enhanced arthritis mice, whereas no such signs were observed in CII-immunized mice without mRFs. Both IgM-RF and IgG-RF increased CII-specific IgG antibodies in circulation, and the severity of arthritis correlated with the production of high titres of anti-CII antibodies. In vivo treatment of RF-enhanced arthritis mice with an anti-CD4 MoAb or an anti-CD8 MoAb inhibited the induction and progression of arthritis in these mice. Administration of RF to severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice with arthritis developed by the transfer of spleen cells from CII-immunized mice, prolonged the arthritis and enhanced the severity. This murine model of RF-enhanced arthritis may provide a useful tool for analysing the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis in RF-positive patients.

Nucleic acid binding by zinc finger-like motif of human papillomavirus type 16 E7 oncoprotein

Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 6b E7 proteins and their chimeric or mutant proteins were analyzed for oligonucleotide-binding activity by surface plasmon resonance-based biomolecular interaction analysis. The results indicated that type 16 E7 protein has stronger nucleic acid-binding activity than that of type 6b E7 protein. In addition, the results also indicated that the zinc finger-like motif in the C-terminal region of the type 16 E7 protein plays an important role in this activity.

Bone resorption by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinuclear cells isolated from rheumatoid synovium

Inflammatory reactions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often cause severe joint destruction. However, the mechanism of bone destruction is still a matter of controversy. To determine whether multinuclear cells found in the rheumatoid synovium can resorb bone, isolated synovial cells were assessed for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and the ability to resorb bone in a dentine resorption assay. TRAP-positive multinuclear cells were found in six out of 10 samples. These six samples showed resorption pit formation on dentine slices. The other four samples did not form resorption pits. The results of this study demonstrate that TRAP-positive multinuclear cells isolated from the rheumatoid synovium form resorption pits on dentine slices. Our results suggest that inflamed synovial cells in rheumatoid joints might participate in bone destruction.

HTLV-I infections in offspring derived from HTLV-I carrier rats during the suckling period

An experimental rat model for vertical transmission of human T cell leukemia virus type I (HTLV-I) was used to examine whether the infection of offspring derived from HTLV-I carrier rats could be established during the suckling period. MT-2 (2 x 10(7)) cells were injected into 5-week-old rats twice, at 2-week intervals. HTLV-I infected or non-infected female rats were mated with HTLV-I carrier male rats. The titer of serum antibodies against HTLV-I in the offspring derived from non-infected dams was less than 1:16 by the agglutination test during the suckling period. The serum antibodies of the offspring derived from the infected dams was less than 1:32 at 1 day after birth and increased steadily to 1:2048 at 14 days. However, the HTLV-I proviral sequences were not detected in any organs of the offspring during the suckling period as determined by the nested double polymerase chain reaction (PCR). These findings indicate that maternal antibodies against HTLV-I were not readily transmitted through the placenta and that the anti-HTLV-I antibodies in the offspring came from the milk of the dams. Furthermore, the HTLV-I infection in the offspring that was derived from the carrier dam may not be established during the suckling period but after weaning.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist production in cultured synovial cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

To measure the amounts of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) protein produced by cultured synovial cells obtained from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS

Synovial cells obtained from patients with either RA or OA were cultured and the supernatants were measured for IL-1ra by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

The synovial cells obtained from patients with RA produced significantly smaller amounts of IL-1ra than did those obtained from patients with OA, in a late passage (third to fifth) without stimulation and a first passage both with and without stimulation (p < 0.025, respectively). In addition, when the patients with RA were divided into two groups according to the maximum number of lining cell layers, the amounts of IL-1ra produced by the proliferative type were smaller than those produced by the less proliferative type (p < 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS

The above findings suggest that IL-1ra production in RA synovial cells is suppressed, and that reduced IL-1ra protein production is one of the causes which leads to the proliferation of lining cells and persistent joint inflammation.

The role of IL-4 and IL-6 in IL-1-dependent cartilage matrix degradation

The objective of this paper was to study the effects of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) on cartilage matrix degradation, the production of chondroitin-4-sulphate (C4S) and chondroitin-6-sulphate (C6S), metalloproteinase (stromelysin 1 = MMP-3) and metalloproteinase inhibitor (TIMP-1) production. Cartilage matrix degradation was assayed the release of 35SO4 from chondrocyte cultures. TIMP-1 and MMP-3 were measured by ELISA. C6S and C4S were measured by HPLC analysis. IL-1 beta significantly enhanced C4S production and significantly suppressed C6S production. Thus, the C4S/C6S ratio was significantly enhanced by IL-1 beta, and significantly suppressed by IL-4. IL-4 removed the suppressing effects of IL-1 beta for C6S and the enhancing effects of IL-1 beta for the C4S/C6S ratio. Whereas IL-1 beta stimulated the production of MMP-3, IL-4 and IL-6 had no effect on enzyme activity. IL-4, but not IL-6, removed the enhancing effects of IL-1 beta for MMP-3. In contrast, IL-4 and IL-6 significantly enhanced TIMP-1 production in chondrocytes, IL-4, but not IL-6, also significantly suppressed IL-1 beta-mediated cartilage matrix degradation. On the other hand, IL-6 significantly suppressed spontaneous cartilage matrix degradation which is supposed to be mediated by the autocrine IL-1 mechanisms. In conclusion our results suggest that IL-4 and IL-6 both protect the cartilage matrix degradation induced by IL-1.

[Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) level in the sera from patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other connective tissue diseases--clinical significances in early onset rheumatoid arthritis]

Stromelysin-1 (MMP-3) is a metalloproteinase that degrades articular cartilage matrix in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We measured MMP-3 in the sera from patients with RA and other connective tissue diseases using specific sandwich EIA and studied its clinical significance in early onset RA. MMP-3 level in healthy control (n = 170) was significantly higher in male than in female. The level of MMP-3 in RA was significantly and dramatically higher than in healthy control, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, progressive systemic sclerosis, primary sjogren's syndrome, mixed connective tissue disease, gouty arthritis and traumatic arthritis. Serum MMP-3 significantly correlated with serum BUN or serum creatinine levels in SLE patients but not in RA patients. In early onset RA, serum MMP-3 level was significantly elevated. Furthermore, when the relationship between the serum MMP-3 level and X-ray findings of the joints in RA was studied, it was found that MMP-3 level was elevated even in stage I or II and that there was no statistical differences between stage I or II and stage III or IV, suggesting that serum MMP-3 level is elevated in the early stage of initial inflammatory process when only mild cartilage degradation is seen. These results suggest that measurements of serum MMP-3 is an important tool for establishing diagnosis of early onset RA, and that serum MMP-3 level may be a marker of cartilage destruction and of estimating therapeutic efficacy in early onset RA.

[Clinical studies on 14 cases of adult-onset Still's disease]

We here report fourteen patients diagnosed as adult-onset Still's disease (AOSD) in our hospital. Seven patients were males (mean age at onset was 26.6 years), and seven were females (30.6 years). All of the cases had spiking fever ( > 39 degrees C) and joint symptoms. Hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and lymphadenopathy were noted in 50% of the patients, respectively. Skin eruption was seen in twelve patients (85.7%). Among them, nine patients (64.3%) exhibited typical rash. Pleuritis or pericarditis was seen in one case each. Only one patient revealed neurological disorder. Abdominal pain was present in 50% of the cases. The ratio of occurrence of secondary amyloidosis was 14.3%. Four patients (28.6%) were diagnosed to have the apophyseal narrowing at the cervical spine (C2-C3). Two patients (14.3%) accompanied by Sjögren's syndrome were women over 40 years of age. The levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptor were significantly elevated in the sera obtained from seven patients with AOSD and four patients with juvenile-onset Still's disease, compared with normal controls. It seems to support the notion that immunopathologic processes via T cell activation play an important role in the pathogenesis of AOSD.

[Amyloidosis of the small intestine secondary to rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: report of two cases]

We herein report two cases of gastrointestinal amyloidosis, secondary to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) in one, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in the other. A 21-year-old woman, who has been suffering from JRA for the past 12 years, was transferred to our hospital due to intense pain in the epigastrium and back, diarrhea, high fever, and paralytic ileus. Treatment by corticosteroid, antibiotics, protease inhibitor, and total parenteral nutrition was not effective. The laparoscopic surgery was performed because of repeated melena followed by an episode of hypovolemic shock. The resected specimen of the ileum showed histologically marked amyloid deposition in the arteriolar walls. A 83-year-old man with RA for 14 years, was admitted to our hospital with complaints of abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea. He underwent an emergency operation for perforation of the ileum. The resected specimen revealed amyloid deposition and non-caseating granulomas. The fragility and impaired blood supply caused by amyloid deposition in the vascular walls may have terminated in the severe intestinal lesion. Further clinicopathological studies along this line are keenly desired in order to establish therapeutic modalities for gastrointestinal amyloidosis.

Increased IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) production and decreased IL-1 beta/IL-1ra ratio in mononuclear cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients

In order to investigate the possible role of IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), this study was undertaken to measure the amounts of IL-1ra and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) protein produced by mononuclear cells (MNC) and to investigate the relationship between production of these cytokines and clinical parameters. The MNC were cultured for 24 h and the supernatants were measured for IL-1ra and IL-1 beta by ELISA kits. MNC from peripheral blood (PB) and synovial fluid of RA patients produced significantly higher amounts of IL-1ra than normal PBMNC (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). When the IL-1 beta/IL-1ra ratio was calculated, IL-1 beta/IL-1ra ratios of RA PBMNC were significantly lower than those of normal PBMNC (P < 0.001). The IL-1 beta/IL-1ra ratio of RA PBMNC was significantly higher in active RA patients than in RA patients in remission (P < 0.02). The amounts of IL-1ra produced by stimulated RA PBMNC positively correlated with the joint score (P < 0.05), serum CRP levels (P < 0.05) and the amounts of IL-1 beta produced (P < 0.01). The amounts of IL-1ra produced by unstimulated RA PBMNC did not correlate with any of the clinical parameters studied. Gold sodium thiomalate (GST), but not auranofin, increased IL-1ra production in vitro.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Role of oxygen radicals and IL-6 in IL-1-dependent cartilage matrix degradation

It has been suggested that IL-1 produces cartilage matrix degradation by metalloproteinases such as collagenase and that such degradation is regulated by metalloproteinase inhibitors. In the present study, the effects of IL-6 and oxygen radical scavengers on cartilage matrix degradation were studied. Superoxide dismutase, catalase, or methionine all significantly inhibited cartilage matrix degradation both in IL-1 beta-stimulated and unstimulated experimental conditions. Both 10 mM EDTA and 100 nM tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) significantly inhibited cartilage matrix degradation. The addition of methionine significantly inhibited collagenase activity produced in the culture supernatants of chondrocytes stimulated with IL-1 beta. IL-6 significantly suppressed cartilage matrix degradation produced spontaneously or by IL-1 beta stimulation in chondrocytes. IL-6 inhibited superoxide production by chondrocytes both in IL-1 beta-stimulated or unstimulated conditions. These results suggest that oxygen radicals are involved in cartilage matrix degradation mediated by both paracrine and autocrine IL-1 mechanisms and that oxygen radical-mediated activation of collagenase in chondrocytes may explain the mechanisms of how oxygen radicals are involved in cartilage matrix degradation. IL-6 inhibited superoxide production in chondrocytes and thus inhibited cartilage matrix degradation.

Analysis of the genes encoding the variable regions of human IgG rheumatoid factor

OBJECTIVE

To better understand the immunoglobulin variable (V) region repertoire of rheumatoid factors (RF).

METHODS

We characterized the heavy (H) and light (L) chain gene segments utilized in a monospecific IgG RF secreting hybridoma (AEE111F) which were derived from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The hybridoma was established by fusion of a mouse myeloma cell line with bone marrow derived mononuclear cells from a patient with RA. First strand complementary DNA (cDNA) was generated and used for a polymerase chain reaction amplification of the H and L chain V domains. The amplified V domains were sequenced and compared with an extensive database of germline and cDNA V gene segments.

RESULTS

The VH sequence was found to be 96% homologous to a previously described fetal VH3 cDNA (60P2). The VL sequence was also highly homologous to the previously described V lambda II gene (96%) derived from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus which correlated with an 8.12 idiotype (Id), and to an antibacterial antibody against the Haemophilus influenzae type b capsular polysaccharide (94.7%).

CONCLUSION

The overlap among this RF VL gene and the 2 reported V lambda sequences of antibodies that expressed anti-DNA related Id and an environmental pathogen specificity suggests that a part of the IgG RF isolated from patients with RA may thus be derived from the physiological natural antibody repertoire during an abnormal immune response and then develop high affinity, monospecific RF by the selection of an antigen driven mechanism.

Effect of cytokine-induced soluble ICAM-1 from human synovial cells on synovial cell-lymphocyte adhesion

The present study was designed to establish (i) the effects of cytokines on soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) production by human synovial cells (SC) and ICAM-1 expression on these cells, and (ii) the effects of sICAM-1 on lymphocyte-SC adhesion. sICAM-1 production was enhanced in parallel with ICAM-1 expression by IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. IL-4 showed no effects on ICAM-1 expression. In contrast with the transient elevation of cell-associated ICAM-1 by IL-1 beta, which peaked 36 h after stimulation and declined thereafter, sICAM-1 continued to accumulate in culture supernatants even after 48 h. Purified sICAM-1 was obtained from a 48 h culture synovial cell supernatant by affinity chromatography using ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody. The purified sICAM-1 significantly inhibited adhesion of lymphocytes and monocytes to cytokine-stimulated synovial cells. These results suggest that sICAM-1 may modulate chronic synovitis by inhibiting ICAM-1-mediated cell-to-cell adhesion.

[Cytokines and vasculitis]

Humoral and cellular immune mechanisms are thought to be involved in various forms of vasculitis and glomerulonephritis. Recent clinical and experimental results point to a role of cytokines in ANCA-positive vasculitides. In patients with malignant rheumatoid arthritis (MRA) which is characteristically induced by vasculitis in extra-articular lesions, serum soluble IL-2 receptor level was significantly higher than in rheumatoid arthritis patients without vasculitis. In Wegener's granulomatosis, TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-2 receptor positive infiltrating cells were observed in the kidneys of these patients, and in these patients, plasma levels of TNF-alpha and soluble IL-2 receptor were markedly increased. These results suggest that in ANCA-positive vasculitis TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta are produced in situ by activated infiltrating mononuclear cells and resident renal cells. In patients with giant cell arteritis and Kawasaki disease, increased levels of leukaemic inhibitory factor (LIF) and TNF-alpha were observed, respectively. These inflammatory cytokines increased in the vascular tissues and circulation may be a result of increased production by infiltrated cells or vascular cells such as endothelial cells or may be a result of endothelial cell lysis.

Detection and typing of human rotavirus in reference to repeated acute gastroenteritis in infants

Stool specimens from infants who visited a clinic because of acute gastroenteritis were tested for the presence of human rotavirus. Among the samples obtained were specimens taken from seven patients who had visited the clinic at two different times. In six of these seven children, human rotavirus (HRV) was detected in only one of the specimens taken (i.e. during only one of the two visits). One patient was shown to have excreted HRV twice; in both cases the HRV was serotyped to be type 1. The present results indicate that the symptomatic reinfection of HRV was not a widely occurring phenomenon in the group of infants tested.

Anti-inflammatory effects of recombinant human manganese superoxide dismutase on adjuvant arthritis in rats

The anti-inflammatory effects of recombinant human manganese superoxide dismutase on adjuvant arthritis was investigated. Local application of this manganese superoxide dismutase given every 2 days not only significantly reduced foot swelling but also retarded radiological bone destruction in adjuvant arthritis. Copper zinc superoxide dismutase had little effect on foot swelling.

Engraftment of HTLV-I-transformed human T-cell line into SCID mice with NK cell function

HTLV-I-transformed human T-cell line, MT-2, has been reported to successfully proliferate in only the SCID mice with depletion of NK cell function. However, MT-2 cells could be engrafted into SCID mice possessing normal NK cell function in this study. MT-2 cells (5-7 x 10(7) cells) were intraperitoneally injected into SCID mice without the deletion of NK cell function. The SCID mice developed tumors in the peritoneal cavities 3 months after the inoculation of MT-2 cells. All tumors reacted to anti-HTLV-I p19 and anti-HLA-DR monoclonal antibodies by immunofluorescence assay and were also positive for the HTLV-I gene by PCR assay. DNA obtained from main organs in group of mice with or without tumors showed a high incidence of positive signals for HTLV-I gene by PCR assay.

[The comparison of clinical features between early rheumatoid arthritis and established rheumatoid arthritis]

Clinical features between 69 early RA patients (within a year duration) and 79 established RA patients (more than 3 years duration) were compared retrospectively. There were no significant differences about frequencies of morning stiffness (68.2% vs 54.4%) and rheumatoid nodules (20.2% vs 15.2%) between early RA and established RA. There were also no significant differences between two groups about elevation of ESR (92.8% vs 97.4%), positivity of CRP (97.1% vs 94.9%) and rheumatoid factor (RF) (82.6% vs 93.7%), and Lansbury activity index (AI) (mean 68.8% vs 78.8%). After hospitalization and treatment, all clinical indices (ESR, CRP, RF, AI) improved significantly in both groups. There, however, were clinically more "marked improvement" (39.1% vs 16.4%) and "remission" (8.7% vs none) in early RA group. We conclude that by hospitalization and treatment, clinical improvement can be expected in both early and established RA, but to secure satisfactory improvement, early detection and intervention of RA would be recommended.

Methotrexate for steroid-resistant systemic lupus erythematosus

We here report two patients with steroid-resistant systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were successfully treated with methotrexate (MTX). In both cases, a steroid resistant high fever, associated with mild myositis and pancytopenia were the main common findings, and all these symptoms were alleviated within a few days either by 7.5 mg or 5 mg MTX per week. The number of CD4+ cells increased along with the clinical improvement, whereas the number of CD20+ cells and HLA-DR expressing cells also decreased. Taking into account the side effects of high dose corticosteroids and cyclophosphamides, treatment with a weekly low dose of MTX is known to contribute to an improvement in the long-term prognosis for patients with refractory SLE.

Production of soluble ICAM-1 from human endothelial cells induced by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha

The present study was designed to establish the effects of cytokines on soluble ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) production by human endothelial cells (EC) and ICAM-1 expression on these cells and the effects of purified sICAM-1 on lymphocyte-EC adhesion. Expression of ICAM-1 and production of sICAM-1 were measured by a specific ELISA method. ICAM-1 expression was enhanced by IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and most effectively by IFN-gamma. IL-4, IL-6, M-CSF, or GM-CSF showed no effects on ICAM-1 expression. IL-4 (100 units/ml) or IL-6(100 units/ml) abolished the enhancing effect of IL-1 beta, while TNF-alpha (1, 10, 100 units/ml) synergized with IL-1 beta to promote ICAM-1 expression in EC. In contrast with the transient increase of cell-associated ICAM-1 expression after activation by IL-1 beta, which peaked 40 h poststimulation and declined thereafter, sICAM-1 continued to accumulate in culture supernatants even after 48 h poststimulation in IL-1 beta-stimulated EC. IL-1 beta treatment resulted in an increase in adhesion. sICAM-1, purified from cell-free supernatants obtained after a 48-h culture of EC in IL-1 beta by affinity chromatography using monoclonal ICAM-1 antibody coupled to Sepharose beads, significantly inhibited lymphocyte EC adhesion. Preincubation of lymphocytes with conditioned medium of EC cultured with 100 units/ml IL-1 beta for 48 h, which contained a considerable amount of sICAM-1, resulted in a significant inhibition of lymphocyte adhesion to IL-1 beta-stimulated EC. These results suggest that there is a cumulative increase in sICAM-1 concentration in the vicinity of cytokine-stimulated EC and that this sICAM-1 modulates ICAM-1-mediated cell to cell interaction.

Possible mechanism of vascular damage in pre-eclampsia

To clarify the pathophysiological changes of pre-eclampsia, we investigated the injurious effect of sera from women with pre-eclampsia on cultured endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts. We obtained serum samples from 32 Japanese women, including 10 healthy nonpregnant women, 12 normal pregnant women and 10 women with pre-eclampsia. Cell injury was measured by the release of radiolabelled chromium from the cells into the culture medium. The mean values +/- SD of percentage chromium release from endothelial cells in normal nonpregnant, normal pregnant and pre-eclamptic subjects were 8.5 +/- 2.4, 8.8 +/- 2.1 and 19.7 +/- 3.6%, respectively. Sera from women with pre-eclampsia demonstrated significantly greater endothelial cell injury than did sera from normal pregnant and nonpregnant subjects. However, normal pregnant and pre-eclamptic subjects did not differ with respect to both vascular smooth muscle cell injury and fibroblast injury. These results indicate that a serum cytotoxic to endothelial cells is present in pre-eclampsia and that this activity has a cellular specificity for endothelial cells.

Effects of cytokines on alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin production, calcification and calcium release by human osteoblastic cells

We examined the effect of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6 on alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) production, calcification and calcium (Ca) release in human osteoblastic cell cultures obtained from human periosteum. The cells were cultured with varying concentrations of cytokines for 3 days. TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta significantly inhibited ALP production, decreased cellular Ca content, and significantly enhanced 45Ca release in human osteoblastic cells. IL-6, on the other hand, significantly suppressed 45Ca release by osteoblastic cells. These cytokines did not influence the production of OC by osteoblastic cells. The results obtained suggest that TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta may inhibit bone formation and calcification and that the effects of IL-6 on osteoblastic cells may be different from those of TNF-alpha or IL-1 beta. These effects on osteoblastic cells may be one of the mechanisms by which bone loss occurs in patients with RA.

Functional oligomerization of purified human papillomavirus types 16 and 6b E7 proteins expressed in Escherichia coli

Purified non-fused soluble human papillomavirus type 16 and 6b E7 proteins expressed in Escherichia coli were found to form oligomers. For both proteins, several degrees of oligomerization were demonstrated by gel filtration, dynamic laser light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Oligomerization was dependent on the concentration of E7 protein. Oligomerized E7 proteins were able to bind the retinoblastoma gene product pRB and stimulated DNA synthesis when introduced into cells.

Production of soluble ICAM-1 by mononuclear cells from patients with rheumatoid arthritis patients

The present study was designed to quantify the level of the soluble form of ICAM-1 (sICAM-1) produced by mononuclear cells (MNC) of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and to correlate these levels with the disease activity and with the amounts of cytokines or rheumatoid factors (RF) produced by MNC. Unstimulated synovial fluid (SF) MNC produced higher amounts of sICAM-1 than peripheral blood (PB) MNC in RA patients (P < 0.01). sICAM-1 production by PHA-stimulated MNC was higher in RA SF MNC than RA or normal PB MNC (P < 0.01). The amounts of SICAM-1 produced correlated with the amounts of soluble IL-2 receptor produced (P < 0.02) but not with IL-1B or the Lansbury activity index in RA PB MNC. sICAM-1 correlated with the amounts of soluble CD23 and IL-4 produced by normal PB MNC (P < 0.01). The amounts of sICAM-1 correlated with IgG-RF (P < 0.02) and IgM-RF (P < 0.01) produced by unstimulated MNC obtained from the bone marrow (BM) of RA patients. ICAM-1 expression of T-lymphocyte subsets, B lymphocytes, and monocytes obtained from RA PB and RA BM assayed by two-color flow cytometry ranged from 0.1 to 6%, which was not appreciably different from that of normal controls. The monocyte fraction of RA PB MNC produced significantly higher amounts of sICAM-1 than lymphocyte fraction. These results suggest that sICAM-1 produced by MNC may be a marker of cell activation in T and B lymphocytes, in contrast to the transient increase of ICAM-1 expression.

Transformation assays of the cell mitotic and proliferation activities of purified oncogene products

Using two direct introduction methods, DNA synthesis or cell proliferation activities of three purified proteins from E. coli, namely, human papillomavirus (HPV) E7 proteins of type 16, a mutant type 16 (24 C-G) (transformation defective) and type 6b, were measured in mouse fibroblast, C127 cells. By a microinjection method, the order of the cell mitotic indexes for the three E7 proteins as determined by 5-bromo-2'-deoxy-uridine (BrdU) staining was type 16, 6b and 16 (24 C-G). By the osmotic shock method, the 3H-TdR incorporation and coloration by (3-carboxymethoxy phenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetolazorium (MTS) for the three proteins correlated with the pRb binding and focus forming activities previously reported (Munger et al. 1991). These results indicate that the simple osmotic shock method for direct protein introduction may be generally useful for transformation assays of oncoproteins.

Therapeutic effects of bovine enterovirus infections on autochthonous rat ovarian carcinomas induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz (a) anthracene (DMBA)

It has been previously reported that infection by a bovine enterovirus (MZ-468), which does not infect normal human cells, was remarkably effective for the therapy of adult T cell leukemia (ATL) in experimental rabbit models (Shingu et al. 1991). Therapeutic treatment studies were performed twice on 30 and 20 autochthonous rat ovarian carcinomas induced by DMBA. The average tumor size of the virus treatment group was significantly smaller than the control group when analyzed by a nonparametric Mann-Whitney method (p < 0.06 and 0.002 for the 1st and 2nd experiments, respectively). These results indicate that an enterovirus infection may be clinically useful for the therapy of human ovarian cancers with bad prognoses.

Association of RNA with human papillomavirus E7 protein of type 16 but not type 6b

Nonfused human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and 6b E7 proteins were expressed in E. coli and fractionated by ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The E7 protein of type 6b was purified, but that of type 16 was found to be associated with RNA molecules which could not be excluded by repeated chromatography. The type 16 E7 protein in CaSki cells was also associated with RNA molecules of the same size.

The effects of cytokines on metalloproteinase inhibitors (TIMP) and collagenase production by human chondrocytes and TIMP production by synovial cells and endothelial cells

It has been suggested that IL-1 produces cartilage matrix degradation by metalloproteinases such as collagenase, and that such degradation is regulated by metalloproteinase inhibitors (TIMP). Therefore, the balance between collagenase and TIMP is an important factor for tissue destruction in inflammatory joints. In the present study the effects of cytokines on collagenase and TIMP production in chondrocytes as well as the effects of cytokines on TIMP production in connective tissue cells were studied. IL-1 beta inhibited TIMP production in endothelial cells while enhancing TIMP production in synovial cells and chondrocytes. In addition, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) significantly inhibited and IL-6 significantly enhanced TIMP production in endothelial cells, synovial cells and chondrocytes. In the chondrocyte supernatant, collagenase activity/TIMP ratio was significantly elevated by the addition of either IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha to the cells, whereas the ratio was significantly decreased by IL-6. These results suggest that the cytokine effects on TIMP production are different among the different cell types, and that either IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha induce cartilage matrix degradation by disrupting the collagenase/TIMP balance, while, on the other hand, IL-6 protects the tissue through an opposite effect.

Two novel genes of herpes simplex virus type 1 involved in cell fusion

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) r mutants, which were defective in fusion function, were isolated from fusion inducing strains G7471 and G51, and classified into several groups by complementation (Yamamoto and Kabuta, 1977; Yamamoto et al. 1989). Marker rescue experiments of intact DNA from r mutants with EcoRI fragments of G7471 DNA revealed that the r mutations belonging to the groups A, B, E, F, G, and H were located in EcoRI-g, -c, -d, -h, -b, and -d fragments, respectively. The mutations belonging to the groups A, B, F, and G cover the loci affecting cell fusion which have been already reported by other investigators. The two novel mutations localized in EcoRI-d fragment were further finely mapped, and it was demonstrated that the mutations belonging to groups E and H were involved in the open reading frames UL10 and UL13, respectively.

Activation of complement in normal serum by hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide-related oxygen radicals produced by activated neutrophils

Neutrophils activated by soluble particulate stimuli generate superoxide anion and subsequently form hydrogen peroxide and other oxygen radicals. The effect of hydrogen peroxide on the complement system in normal serum was investigated. Treatment of normal serum with hydrogen peroxide resulted in a diminution of the haemolytic activity of the total and alternative complement pathways and the haemolytic titres of C3 and C5 but not of C2, in normal serum. These decreases in complement activity depended on the concentration of hydrogen peroxide added to the serum. Immunoelectrophoretic analysis of hydrogen peroxide-treated serum showed that C3 and C5 proteins were activated. Complement degradation products C3a and C5a were produced in normal serum treated with hydrogen peroxide, and 20 mM EDTA abolished C3a and C5a production in hydrogen peroxide-treated serum but 20 mM Mg-EGTA did not. Catalase completely abolished and dimethylsulphoxide and D-mannitol, hydroxyl radical scavengers, partially inhibited the hydrogen peroxide-mediated complement activation. Hypochlorite, incubated with normal serum, significantly inhibited serum haemolytic activity, and sodium thiosulphate, a reducing agent, abolished the effect of hypochlorite. Normal serum incubated with activated neutrophils showed neutrophil chemotactic activity and decreased serum haemolytic activity, and the addition of catalase or methionine (5 mM) completely abolished the effects of activated neutrophils. These results suggest that hydrogen peroxide activates complement via an alternative pathway of complement activation and that hydroxyl radicals and other hydrogen peroxide-related species such as hypochlorite are most likely involved in hydrogen peroxide-mediated complement activation. Complement activation by oxygen radicals produced by activated neutrophils may be one of the mechanisms by which complement is activated in human immune complex diseases.

The possible role of endothelial cells in hypertensive disorders during pregnancy

OBJECTIVE

To clarify the role of endothelial cells in pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders, we studied the cytotoxic effect of sera from normal pregnant women and from gravidas with various hypertensive complications of pregnancy.

METHODS

We obtained serum samples from 84 Japanese women: 17 with preeclampsia, ten with gestational hypertension, six with chronic hypertension, five with chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia, 21 normal gravidas, and 25 healthy nonpregnant women. Endothelial cell injury was measured by the release of radiolabeled chromium from the cells into the culture medium.

RESULTS

The mean (+/- standard error of the mean) values of chromium 51 release in preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, chronic hypertension, chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia, normal pregnancy, and healthy nonpregnant women were: 21.9 +/- 2.1, 10.0 +/- 2.0, 9.2 +/- 2.3, 12.9 +/- 0.8, 8.4 +/- 1.4, and 7.3 +/- 1.6%, respectively. Normal pregnant and nonpregnant subjects did not differ with respect to endothelial cell injury. Sera from women with preeclampsia demonstrated significantly greater endothelial cell injury than did sera from normal gravidas. Subjects with the three other categories of hypertensive disorders did not differ significantly from normal gravidas.

CONCLUSION

Preeclampsia is characterized by the presence of a serum factor cytotoxic to endothelial cells. Therefore, the mechanism responsible for the increase in blood pressure differs between women with preeclampsia and those with other hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.

Sjögren's syndrome and mixed connective tissue disease

We investigated the clinical significance of the close association of Sjögren's syndrome (SS) with mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) by analyzing the clinical manifestations, sialographic findings and immunological parameters of MCTD and primary SS. The prevalence of sialectasia or SS in MCTD was significantly higher than in any other connective tissue diseases. The prevalence of Raynaud's phenomenon, swollen fingers, arthralgias, lymphadenopathy, sclerodactyly, muscle weakness, fever and erythema was significantly higher in MCTD than in primary SS. There were no significant differences between these manifestations in MCTD patients with sialectasia or SS, and those in MCTD patients without sialectasia or SS. Although the levels or prevalence of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, CRP, antinuclear factor, anti-DNA antibody and anti-RNP antibody were significantly greater in MCTD than in primary SS, there were no significant differences in the levels or the prevalence of laboratory abnormalities between MCTD with sialectasia or SS, and MCTD without sialectasia or SS. Moreover, there was a strict dissociation between the occurrence of anti-RNP antibody and anti-SS-B antibody both in MCTD and primary SS. These results suggest that the association of secondary SS or sialectasia in MCTD, although more common than in other connective tissue diseases, is merely a consequence of MCTD and does not influence the clinical course of MCTD.

[Rapid detection of mycobacteria in sputa using media supplemented with culture filtrate of Gemella haemolysans]

The effect of the culture filtrate Gemella haemolysans in enhancing mycobacterial growth has been previously demonstrated. In the present studies, an attempt was made to confirm whether the addition of the filtrate into the medium would be an effective method to promote the rapid detection of mycobacteria in sputum specimens of patients. One-hundred and one sputum specimens pretreated with NaOH were inoculated with various media (Dubos, Dubos-agar, 1% Ogawa, Kudo PD, and Middlebrook 7H9) supplemented with the culture filtrate of Gemella haemolysans grown in blood-BHI or blood-HEM at the dilutions of 1/32 or 1/64. Addition of the filtrate reduced the amount of time required to detect mycobacterial growth (Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. avium complex, and M. kansassi) by an average of 60-70%. The media containing the filtrate formed significantly larger numbers of colonies compared with the control media, and those colonies inoculated developed more rapidly in size. The findings clearly indicated that the culture filtrate promotes the effective growth of mycobacteria which cannot or only slowly grows in ordinary media. Also indicated was that the addition of the culture filtrate of Gemella haemolysans into media provides as a useful tool to allow the rapid diagnosis of mycobacterial diseases.

Construction of an expression vector for human papillomavirus type 16 E7-glutathione S transferase fusion protein

An expression vector for human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV 16) E7-glutathione S transferase fusion protein was constructed. The E7 gene was confirmed by southern blot analysis with a digoxygenin 11-dUTP labeled and simultaneously amplified E7 DNA probe by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The fusion protein was expressed in E. coli, recovered as inclusion bodies, and was confirmed by western blot analysis using a monoclonal antibody against HPV 16-E7 protein. A polyclonal antibody against the HPV 16-E7 protein was raised in the serum of mice hyper-immuned with the fusion protein. This antibody will be available for screening of patients with cervical cancer.

Pattern recognition of continuity of discrete data points by scale changed plots

Graphs composed of a large number of data points plotted on an appropriate scale enables us to pattern recognize a specific continuous curve. This principle was used to follow signals from proton nuclear magnetic resonance as a function of pH in a large biomolecule, staphylococcal nuclease. The analysis was automated by auto peak-picking routines and by transferring the results to a graphic program, Graphic Operating System (Roome & Peterson, 1985). Expansion and contraction of the scale made it possible to differentiate specific tyrosine and histidine titration curves. This type of analysis is applicable for assignment of specific curves from a large number of data points which change as a function of perturbations.

Relationship between leukotriene B4 and immunological parameters in rheumatoid synovial fluids

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) was measured in synovial fluid from 20 patients with rheumatoid arthritis and 15 patients with osteoarthritis. The level of LTB4 was significantly higher in synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis patients as compared with synovial fluid from osteoarthritis patients. LTB4 levels also significantly correlated with cell numbers, rheumatoid factor, and immune complexes in synovial fluid from rheumatoid arthritis patients. There was an inverse correlation between LTB4 levels and complement components. The high-pressure liquid chromatography peak of immunoreactivity extracted from the synovial fluid occurred at a retention volume identical to that of authentic LTB4. These results suggest that the increased level of this mediator in synovial fluid may contribute to perpetuation of inflammation and tissue destruction in rheumatoid arthritis.

Therapeutic effects of bovine enterovirus infection on rabbits with experimentally induced adult T cell leukaemia

A bovine enterovirus, MZ-468, showed cytopathic effects on cell line F-647a, which was established by coculture of human T cell lymphotropic virus type 1-transformed MT-2 cells and X-irradiated rabbit lymphocytes. Microcalorimetric assay showed that residual, viable, MZ-468-infected F-647a cells produced less heat than non-infected cells. The therapeutic effects of MZ-468 infection were examined in rabbits in which adult T cell-like leukaemia (ATL) had been induced by inoculation of F-647a cells (1 x 10(8) cells). Six newborn rabbits were separated into three groups: group A was inoculated with F-647a cells only; group B was treated with MZ-468 at the time of inoculation with cells; group C was treated with the same amount of virus 24 h after the inoculation with cells and then once every 4 days. Both of the animals in group A and one in group C died 10 and 11 days, and 22 days, respectively, after the inoculation with cells. Both rabbits in group B and one in group C survived for more than 4 months. The rabbits that died were examined pathologically; leukaemic infiltrations were found in the lungs of the group B rabbits, and in the lungs, spleens and livers of both group A rabbits. Two identical experiments produced almost the same findings. These results suggest that bovine enterovirus might be used clinically to prolong the life-span of ATL patients.

Multicentric reticulohistiocytosis associated with subclinical Sjögren's syndrome

A case of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis in a 60-year-old Japanese woman associated with subclinical Sjögren's syndrome is presented. The clinical features along with the light microscopic studies are commented. Partial improvement of the skin lesions and tendon sheath swelling was achieved after treatment with cyclophosphamide but the patient's general condition remained unchanged. Taking the rarity of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis into account, coexistence of these two conditions in the present and previously reported cases suggests that an autoimmune mechanism may play a part in the pathogenesis of multicentric reticulohistiocytosis.

Densitometric determination of human papillomavirus DNA quantities by chromato-scanning in the fluorescence mode

The quantitation of human papillomavirus DNA isolated from warts by chromato-scanning (fluorescence mode) photographs of ethidium bromide-stained agarose gels is described. Excitation at 200 nm (with a cutoff filter at 400 nm) generates fluorescence from the white portion of the printing paper. The fluorescent intensity correlated with the quantities of DNA in the band of interest. The amounts of DNA were determined using calibration curves of approximately the same size as lambda phage DNA fragments. This general method of quantification is applicable to photographs of other types of polynucleotides capable of being separated and stained in a gel medium.

Refolding and purification of human papillomavirus type 16 E7-lacZ fusion protein expressed in Escherichia coli

Human papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 E7-lacZ fusion protein was produced in Escherichia coli, extracted as inclusion bodies, refolded with reducing reagents, and subjected to gel filtration. The refolded protein was purified by ion-exchange column chromatography, resulting in a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectral changes were observed in the high field methyl region in the presence of Zn2+ ion, suggesting that the refolded form of the fusion protein is possibly renaturated into the putative zinc finger motif (C. Edmond and K. H. Vousden, 1989, J. Virol. 63, 2650-2656) and supporting the data of J. A. Rawls, R. Pusztai, and M. Green (1990, J. Virol. 64, 6121-6129) on zinc binding to E7 protein using radioisotopically labeled zinc ion.

Effects of recombinant human IL-1 beta on production of prostaglandin E2, leukotriene B4, NAG, and superoxide by human synovial cells and chondrocytes

The effects of recombinant human IL-1 beta on the production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), and superoxide by synovial cells and chondrocytes derived from osteoarthritis patients were determined. IL-1 beta markedly enhanced PGE2 production in chondrocytes and, to the lesser extent, in synovial cells. Synovial cells and chondrocytes spontaneously released LTB4 into culture medium and IL-1 beta significantly inhibited LTB4 production by these cells. IL-1 beta significantly suppressed the release of NAG and superoxide by synovial cells, whereas it significantly enhanced the production of NAG and superoxide by chondrocytes. Production of intracellular superoxide dismutase by synovial cells was significantly enhanced on incubation with IL-1 beta, but that of chondrocytes was not altered. IL-6, unlike IL-1 beta, significantly suppressed the production of NAG and superoxide by synovial cells and chondrocytes. These results suggest that IL-1 has differing effects on the release of mediators by synovial cells and chondrocytes and that these cells also vary in their responses to IL-1 beta and IL-6.